5-Year-Old Taken to the Hospital After Pit Bull Bites Face and Eye in Covelo

Emergency Medical Response feature

On Friday, January 29, 2021, medical personnel responded to Road 337L in Covelo regarding a 5-year-old who had been bitten in the face by a white pit bull that subsequently fled.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Captain Greg Van Patten told us deputies responded to the scene after the child had already been taken to the hospital.

Captain Van Patten explained that a deputy and animal control officer responded to the scene to “make sure there was not a vicious dog running around the public.”

The deputy and animal control officer “contacted the owner who surrendered three dogs,” Captain Van Patten explained. He added that it is unclear whether the dog involved in the bite was surrendered or found.

As to the status of the three dogs surrendered to MCSO, Captain Van Patten said they are currently in Ukiah’s Animal Care facility.

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Fast Freddy
Guest
Fast Freddy
3 years ago

Jesus! Please, be alright, kid!

Get rid of those shitty dogs.

CJ
Guest
CJ
3 years ago
Reply to  Fast Freddy

Jesus Christ another Pit Bull attract, this time a little boy. WTF is wrong with these people! There are no bad dogs, just bad owners! Prayers to the little boy to heal physically & emotionally.

Guess what
Guest
Guess what
3 years ago
Reply to  CJ

Lol, I’m so burnt out on hearing that dumb phrase. Do you also believe that EVERY single person that was brought up right and was loved and cared about turned out to be an amazing person that never did any wrong?

Sharon Kennedy
Guest
Sharon Kennedy
3 years ago
Reply to  Guess what

I so agree with you!! I’ve had a lot of stupid, ignorant responses to that phrase.

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Guess what

Not even close!

susie marie
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  CJ

oh but there is bad dogs,this i know, NEWFOUNDLANDER DOG ,now that is a fine dog for children ,they are known for their high patience level with children, now on the other side,a PITBULL ,loose PET pitbull ,will attack,murder humans,they have and will and can kill you, pitbulls like the chase the hunt, its a pitbull they were made by man for that, did you no ,WILD city coyotes will never murder humans ,but a loose PET pitbull will,no matter how well trained ,thats what they enjoy, bite shake rip your face off kinda dog ,,,,sure its the owner and it is the dog personality of the breeds of dogs

john zolis
Guest
john zolis
3 years ago
Reply to  susie marie

I love how idiots say this dog or that dog is safe or dangerous whenGreat Pyrenees, Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, Dogo’s, Gerberian Shepsky’s, Dachshunds (Christopher Granger, Christopher Johnson), Golden Retrievers, German Sheprador, German Sheprador’s, Saint Bernards, Alaskan Malamutes, Bull Dogs, Cane Corso’s, Coon hounds, Boxers, Belgian malinois, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Dutch shepherd, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Australian Cattle Dog (38 egregious bodily harms and a death) Labrador Retriever ,Chows, Boxers, Akita’s, Siberian huskies, German Shepherds, Shiba Inus and Rotties,
Additions Wolf dog hybrid, Presa canario, Welsh Corgi, Old English Sheepdog, Shar Pei, Italian Mastiff, Weimaraner, Mixed breeds, Japanese akita, Rhodesian ridgeback, Boston Terrier, Catahoula leopard dog, Keeshond-mix, hound, Chihuahua-mix (Valente Lopez Aguirre) Beagle (David Brown) Chihuahua ( Hong Saengsamly)
Dogo Argentino, bull terrier, American Bully French Bulldog, fox terrier, Basenji, Cur, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Airedale Terrier have all been responsible for human deaths
Considering that there are 4.5 million dog bites a year and 900,000 dog bites require medical attention 27,000 require reconstructive surgery
Guess these dogs didn’t get your memo

Zolt
Guest
Zolt
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

BUT PIT BULLS KILL MORE CHILDREN THAN ALL THE BREEDS YOU LIST COMBINED .

Jon
Guest
Jon
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

Anyone who doesn’t think pit bulls are a problem should come work with me in the ER. I promise you will change your mind.

Nemo Nemo
Guest
Nemo Nemo
3 years ago
Reply to  Jon

Likewise.

Bonny T Lee
Guest
Bonny T Lee
3 years ago
Reply to  Nemo Nemo

Did ya’ll see “Dog Bites in Children Surge During Coronavirus Disease” Journal ofPediatrics Vol 225
Oct 2020.

Kelly Estes
Guest
Kelly Estes
3 years ago
Reply to  Jon

🥲

Chad
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Jon

Nutters do not care about victims. They presume they are the victims.

Lucy lee
Guest
Lucy lee
3 years ago
Reply to  Jon

I’ve been told by a huge number of doctors the same thing.

Daisy
Guest
Daisy
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

Facts about pitbulls, complete with references:
https://dogbitelaw.com/vicious-dogs/pit-bulls-facts-and-figures

Hyde Dexler
Guest
Hyde Dexler
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

Yeah, and shitbulls account for the VAST majority of those dog bites. [edit]

Gerald
Guest
Gerald
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

I agree that no one ever talks about when those dogs kill and everybody shows the bad side but it is how you raise a dog too because you can train your dog to not do that crap and yea Pitbulls are vicious dogs but that’s because of how the owner trained it and the most dangerous dog that no one talks about is a german shepherd and a rottweiler and barely anyone talks about when they attack or kill someone, I don’t know why everyone thinks that only Pitbulls kill people like literally there are 35 dog breeds that killed people but you have to just talk about Pitbulls but whatever but I really hope that boy will be great and be strong

Robert Rheaume
Guest
Robert Rheaume
2 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

All Dogs can bite, this is true. However trying to defend the Pitbull breed when their incidents of dog bite attacks and maulings is so over the top vs all other breeds. The German Shepherd is the number three Biter, but that’s 2500 Pitbull Maulings and deaths vs something like 125 for the German Shepherd. Statistics kept since 1983 don’t lie.

Edwin Cox
Guest
Edwin Cox
3 years ago
Reply to  susie marie

No but I have been very close to a domesticated Wildcat as a child. I am glad for any shared knowledge.

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
3 years ago
Reply to  CJ

I’ve raised a family of 10 dogs for a long time.

The mother was # 11. She was a lab/boxer 50/50.

She mated with a 100% boxer. Gave birth to what I call quarter-dors.

I also rescued 2 other dogs, so at once I managed a kennel system of 8 dogs, as I kept 5 of the litter puppies for their entire lives, the mom and the 2 rescues.

Each dog was raised entirely the same, and each one came out entirely different.

‘Bad’ dogs can absolutely happen by nature too.

If you don’t recognize the dogs problems, and consequently create the solutions to those problems – then that is a bad owner in my opinion.

No Joke
Guest
No Joke
3 years ago
Reply to  CJ

Sounds like this owner did the right thing and gave up all three of their dogs.

Diana
Guest
Diana
3 years ago
Reply to  CJ

Talking about “good” and “bad” dogs is silly and hides the point. Yes, dogs that are well cared for by knowledgeable and responsible owners are less of a danger to the general public. The point is – how bad does it get when things go wrong. How much of a danger does a kind of animal present when the owner is incompetent and irresponsible. That’s the only question. Labrador retrievers have been ranked the #1 most popular dog breed for 29 years by the AKC. In addition, they rank in the top ten most popular in the UK, Australia, Canada, Italy, and when worldwide registrations are combined, rank number one most popular in the world. Because of their sheer numbers, they often rank high in local bite statistics, but they have NEVER been in the top ten lists of most serious or most lethal canine attackers EVER.

That’s not about good ownership – labs have had plenty of terrible owners, but when things go wrong they are infinitely safer than pit bulls which, in the US make up no more than 7% of the total dog population, yet are responsible for over 60% of fatal attacks.

Kaththee
Guest
Kaththee
3 years ago
Reply to  CJ

Dogs aren’t bad or good. Pits are just doing what they were bred to do. It is in their DNA. Breeders can and did breed for aggression and bully dogs are proof of it. It is a myth that aggression is learned. Aggression is innate and it exaggerated by selective breeding. Some breeds just don’t make good family dogs. Some breeds don’t need to exist. Breed isn’t a species. Breed isn’t a race. Breed is nothing but a vanity item and some of them we don’t need.

Denise varney
Guest
Denise varney
3 years ago
Reply to  Fast Freddy

So all 3 three dogs need to die because one was agessive you would not be saying that if it was not a pit involved what if the other two were very friendly non agressive dogs you think they still need to die just because there pit bulls

John zolis
Guest
John zolis
3 years ago
Reply to  Fast Freddy

You are a puppet of misinformation pit bull isn’t a breed and sensationalized hacks that publish for rags say pit bull based on nothing but speculation

Really?
Guest
Really?
3 years ago

At least the Mendocino animal control got the dogs. Here in Humboldt the animal control office said, after the dogs killed three animals at two places, “I can’t do anything” when the dogs were found with blood all over them in their owner’s “adequately” fenced yard. Which was not true. If dogs have killed livestock then animal control is required to impound the dogs if the livestock owner requests. Here they are running a dog rescue.

Sobrien
Guest
Sobrien
3 years ago
Reply to  Really?

He added that it is unclear whether the dog involved in the bite was surrendered or found.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Really?

Build a better fence & take responsibility. Handle 5he issue yourself like a logical adult. What’s stopping any wild animal from your livestock? Too insane & psychotic to simply make friends with your neighbors, talk to them directly & train the dogs to not attack your livestock (it’s EZ) or help them figure out how to secure their fence. Get real.

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
3 years ago

Oh those nanny dogs!!!
Anybody want to jump on the rescue crew to re home them?
Phuck.
Poor lil kiddo…
LOTS OF ROAMING OFF THE HOOK NON LICENSED UN VACCINATED DOGS IN COVELO. Animal Control could work full time up there alone.
Curious…do the Round Valley Tribes have any stance on dog ownership, control or vaccination requirements on their lands?
Or once it is a known dog bite all control defers to the County?
Hope little one does not have to go through a rabies regime.
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

Just Sayin
Guest
Just Sayin
3 years ago

Pets are a product of their environment. A lot like children. But continue to describe an issue of poor pet control as an issue of the breed….. You people really are ignorant!

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin

So are you volunteering to do home visits to every pit bull residence to check whether the owners are providing a good environment?

Jen Payan
Guest
Jen Payan
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

I would be willing to do that except for the fact that any dog that I found to be in an unworthy home would have nowhere to go and I would be pissed off cuz I couldn’t do anything to change that situation. You know the facts statistically say that cocker spaniels are the number one beiters of all dogs. So I am going to firmly say that if you have a pitbull you have to be respectful in the fact that this is a member of your family and treat the dog correctly otherwise the dog will turn a lot of times. I’m not against owning pitbulls, I just feel like people that own pit bulls need to be responsible owners. Of course my prayers go out to the child, it is very sad anytime anybody gets bit by any kind of dog.

Rayray
Guest
Rayray
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin

Two of the three pit bulls that my toddler has come in close contact with have growled just at the site of her….can’t say thats ever happened with a lab. Some breeds are inherently more friendly, despite how they are raised.

JF
Guest
JF
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin

Nobody gives a fuck if they are the product of their environment or not. They are deadly and vicious dogs that shouldn’t be allowed to be held as pets.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  JF

I’ll adopt em & fence them in, sound like excellent guard dogs to keep all you away.

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
3 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin

Apparently you have never been dragged down or bitten by a big ass scary out of control dog. Im glad for you. This is not the case for this kiddo. JUST SAYIN…

Edwin Cox
Guest
Edwin Cox
3 years ago

Been bitten a few times,once my own dog was injured.
Once chased as a kid by German Shepard hear elementary school on bike,he then got in front of my 10 spd. and the bike and I landed on him.
Most recently the dog was leashed by a mobile home and I pet him, as I turned to walk away he bit me but did not break the skin.

Dot
Guest
Dot
3 years ago

In one rural village far north, where my uncles face was maimed by a husky as a child. They have strict rules on dog ownership now. One dog per household. Side note, the sled dogs are useless now since everyone has a snow machine. But at least one time they had a purpose right. Pits are useless and abused animals.

Augustus Dadogg
Guest
Augustus Dadogg
3 years ago

I thought it was Venom until I saw it was a pit bull

John zolis
Guest
John zolis
3 years ago

Instead of being an idiot blaming breeds strengthen animal control introduce the Calgary model the number one animal control model in North America but hey
Continue with stupid closed minded bigotry like the IQ deficient person you are claiming Nanny Dogs and the rhetoric that supports

Smallfry
Guest
Smallfry
3 years ago

What in the actual upchuck! That sucks! Sincerely hope they will be ok! One thing that has struck me is also that you can’t catch a dog and turn it into the pound. Literally the Sheriff has to come and get it. Why not allow people to turn over dogs running all over the place? I have had a few sketchy Pitties running around my place. I try and find an owner.. but if a dog is super sketchy, what are u supposed to do if no owner comes forward..Or like maybe if people were able to turn over PITBULLS they can’t handle easier, there would be less attacks..

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
3 years ago
Reply to  Smallfry

You know what you need to do. It sucks, but if the dog’s owners won’t control them you need to take action yourself.

For sure
Guest
For sure
3 years ago
Reply to  Smallfry

Don’t hesitate to do what needs to be done!

guest
Guest
guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Smallfry

Shoot, shovel and shut up. That is how you handle stray “pitties”

Smallfry
Guest
Smallfry
3 years ago
Reply to  Smallfry

Not an easy decision by far.. but any sign of aggression.. and that decision becomes much more clear!

John zolis
Guest
John zolis
3 years ago
Reply to  Smallfry

If people implemented at city level the Calgary model attacks would diminished five fold because irresponsible owners would be held accountable stop blaming the wrong end of the leash

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago

I thought I was sour on pit bulls before but damn…. what’s next? Y’all gonna let your dogs kill some girl scouts trying to sell cookies?

US Marine no fear no filter no fks
Guest
US Marine no fear no filter no fks
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I laughed way harder than I should to that.

Edwin Cox
Guest
Edwin Cox
3 years ago

I have had Boxer dogs surround me as a child,so I was used to their sniffing and muscled action. They were very curious and one was let out at a time and suddenly the rest pushed past and they all gleefully converged and treated me to wet kisses.
More recently a very well mannered boxer dog in an apartment lunged up and grabbed a whole cooked chicken from the counter and a tug of war ensued for the tasty warm cooked bird. Food was the pervading factor. Thank you for this forum.

Martin
Guest
Martin
3 years ago

Praying the boy will be fine. The only good pit bull is a dead on!!! Read the story yet about the young lady in Myers Flat that was attacked by two pit bulls and dragged under a trailer where they began to eat her legs. She has lost one leg below the knee. Read the story and I hope it scares you to death about pit bulls!!!

Laurie Jensen
Guest
Laurie Jensen
3 years ago

Saying goes “There are no bad dogs, just bad owners” I hope the little girl will be fine and that she wont grow up teriffied of all dogs because of this one incident

BonnieBlue
Guest
BonnieBlue
3 years ago
Reply to  Laurie Jensen

That saying is bullshit, as proven by pit bulls.

Rayray
Guest
Rayray
3 years ago
Reply to  Laurie Jensen

“This one incident” has changed this child’s life forever. Sounds like the child may even loose an eye. Of coarse the child will be terrified of dogs! And with good reason. Dog lovers are too quick to judge people who don’t like dogs but many many people have had terrible experience with them. I myself have survived a pit bull attack at age 8 and yes I was terrified of dogs for a long time.

Diana
Guest
Diana
3 years ago
Reply to  Laurie Jensen

Yeah, that saying is completely stupid. Everyone knows that if you have a competent and responsible owner, the general public is going to be safe. But in a world where there are zero requirements for dog ownership, the only salient question is how dangerous to the general public is a certain kind of dog in the hands of an incompetent and irresponsible owner. And the answer to that questions is clear – pit bulls are too dangerous to be acceptable as pets.

The empty and sanctimonious platitudes that people “should be responsible” gets us exactly nowhere. Pit bulls need to be regulated.

Lynn H
Guest
Lynn H
3 years ago
Reply to  Diana

All dogs need to be regulated. Any dog getting loose and causing havoc should be put down. Anyone owner who shows a pattern of owning dangerous dogs who get out and create havoc and are a threat to the safety of people or other animals need to be banned from ever owning dogs again.

People should be very aware of the tendencies of any breed of dog, especially dogs bred to fight and be prepared and responsible for those dogs.

People should also know that in many many areas pit bulls that are available as pets can be the left overs of breeders who are breeding fighting animals for profit. Either dumped at shelters or sold privately. Don’t support that industry, even at an indirect level!

B
Guest
B
3 years ago

So sad…..best wishes and healing to this boy……..now Here come all the pit bull defenders🤦🏻

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago

Heal fast, little one!

Early Cuyler
Guest
Early Cuyler
3 years ago

Pitbulls are like 13% of the dog population but make up 70% of all violent dog incidents!

🤔

Jynx
Guest
Jynx
3 years ago
Reply to  Early Cuyler

Did you just pull that statistic out of your butt?

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Early Cuyler

Nonsense. That last link links in turn to the study it cites. And that study said “Bite risk by breed from the literature review and bite severity by breed from our case series were combined to create a total bite risk plot. Injuries from Pitbull’s and mixed breed dogs were both more frequent and more severe. ” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587618305950?via%3Dihub#!

Chad
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Early Cuyler

Look at the fatality rate by breed and there is clearly only one conclusion; pits are more dangerous than all other breeds combined. PERIOD

Measuring number of bites only is disingenuous. My daughter, who works in the ER, talks all the time about the severity of the damage caused by pit attacks. The physical and mental damage is incomprehensible.

Dot
Guest
Dot
3 years ago

https://abc13.com/toddler-dog-attack-girl-bitten-by-old-town-spring-service-animal/9601865

This was very recent. These horrific attacks have to stop. Parents be very wary of all strangers dogs getting near your kids. Except under certain circumstances you could never prevent something so horrific from happening

Martin
Guest
Martin
3 years ago

Kym, I left a comment on this article, and now it is gone. What did I do now? Help.

Kym Kemp
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Martin

You are on moderation and I went to town. I’m back now and I will okay the comment.

Martin
Guest
Martin
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you Kim!

Marge
Guest
Marge
3 years ago

What is up in Covelo? It’s been just 3 weeks since the last pibull attack which required 2 people to be airlifted to the hospital

https://kymkemp.com/2021/01/09/two-airlifted-from-round-valley-suffering-from-hypothermia-and-frostbite/

Tina
Guest
Tina
3 years ago

I’m wondering why the owner of the dog turned in the other 3? IT says that they arent sure any of those 3 are the one that attacked the poor little guy. Tragic any way we look at it.

roll'em
Guest
roll'em
3 years ago

The ugliness in Covelo rolls on.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  roll'em

Right, the place seems like a cursed sh*thole.

Geist
Guest
Geist
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Why isn’t this racial ghetto/former concentration camp a nicer place to live?

Trashman
Guest
Trashman
3 years ago

12 ga. Works well, sidearms too if handy.

Laurie
Guest
Laurie
3 years ago
Reply to  Trashman

✓ on the 12 gauge..

Autumn Weaver
Guest
Autumn Weaver
3 years ago

The dogs should be tested to make sure they were not given anything to make them more aggressive. I know of people who give their pit bulls meth around here. Then if they are positive the owner and dealers should be prosecuted.

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
3 years ago
Reply to  Autumn Weaver

Ya, that happens. My wife was animal control in the bay area, the cops had to call her to remove the methed out dogs for the animal lovers before they could go in for the bust. I am an animal lover but seriously? Sending in a 110lb gal to remove viscous tweeked out pits for a bunch of cops so the dogs don’t get hurt?

Fuck pits
Guest
Fuck pits
3 years ago
Reply to  Autumn Weaver

They’re shitbulls. They’re already more fucking aggressive.

Autumn Weaver
Guest
Autumn Weaver
3 years ago

I’ve also heard of people giving their pit bulls something they call brown brown I believe that it is a mix of gunpowder and meth.

E
Guest
E
3 years ago
Reply to  Autumn Weaver

An old neighbour if mine, self proclaimed “scooter trash” used to tell me lots of stories.

One was about how to make a crazy attack dog.

You mix up gunpowder and animal blood and put it on their food.

I can only imagine what happens if you add meth in that mix.

Some dogs are just no good.

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago

Wow, the pit bull supporters have gotten suspiciously quiet after the last two articles…no pit bulls make up 20 percent of the dogs in America, or nanny dogs, or my dogs would never! They’re all fun and games until they devour a human being alive and try to rip a child’s face off in the course of two days. Meanwhile no stories about all these other dogs they say are worse. No stories about German Shepard’s, no stories about rots, no stories about chihuahuas even breaking the skin on someone’s ankle… after the last couple weeks I feel like we need two daily updates, on on covid cases and another on pit bull attacks.

Edwin Cox
Guest
Edwin Cox
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

I have related to the stories I have read in as concise of manner as I can using instances of personal happenstance but perhaps I should in clude one more. I have tried to include the Canine breeds.
I have been a resident for many years,and was fortunate to be included on an outing whereupon I took turns carrying hunting rifle with a sling. At a point where my fellow adventurer was out of sight a brown bear no metal cage,walked within 15 feet of my orson. There was no pervading order of food on my skin or clothing the weather was hot and sunny. The bear continued unimpeded on its journey through its home and my fellow beloved adventure continued on with the heavy cumbersome firearm draped across shoulder. Thank you for the experience.

Eilidh Somerville
Guest
Eilidh Somerville
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Rottweilers and German Shepherds are actually banned/restricted in some countries. There was also a lady killed by her own two Rottweilers in France a couple of days ago. They are dangerous breeds too and the reason the police and military use breeds such as the GSD and Malinois as attack dogs is because they already have strong instincts to attack. Rottweilers are also used as attack dogs, but not to the same extent as the former.

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago

I’d be willing to bet that 95% of all pitbull owners are dirt bags. What do you guys think?

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

No, from my experience most pit bull owners are decent responsible people. But as I’ve said for years not all pit bull owners are dbags but for some reason all dbags want a pit bull. The few give the majority a bad name but that’s always the case. The majority of gun owners are responsible, but it’s the same dirt bag that owns vicious pit bulls in the trailer part that also gives gun owners a bad name when he shoots his assault weapon over a drug deal. Pits just easily accept the vicious role of it’s encouraged. These idiots think it’s awesome that their neighbors are scared of them because of their dogs and then act shocked when the dogs engage in the encouraged behavior, that guy should be in the pound with his dogs doing the 10 day wait.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Mike

In my experience, most people who are responsible own dogs that are not pit bulls. For good reason. I owned a pit bull mix that I had to watch like a hawk to make sure she didn’t get out of control. That put quite a damper on enjoying pet ownership. She was abandoned as a puppy and it was either take her in or take her to the pound. If I had known that it meant almost 15 years of constantly thinking one step ahead of her instinct to attack anything that ran from her, I would have taken her to the pound. Other dogs would chase but she would chase and attack. Otherwise she was a sweetie. But so are plenty of other dogs without her tendencies.

goforit
Guest
goforit
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I think 80% of the dogs up for adoption in shelters are pits or pit mixes.

Smallfry
Guest
Smallfry
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Actually my super yuppie computer geek brother- In- Law has 2 Pitties. They live in a suburban neighborhood. They got them when their kids were older.. They super love them, And Take them everywhere. I don’t know why they chose Pits.. their dogs are really sweet though. Actually I kinda suspect they got pits so they could appear more “woke” actually.. They are adopted pits too, they didn’t raise them from pups.. soo actually a lot of different types of people have Pitties..

Just saying
Guest
Just saying
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

This has to be the most ignorant comment I have read by far. We own 5 pitbulls. I am a nurse and my husband works in construction.

Geist
Guest
Geist
3 years ago
Reply to  Just saying

Joe Exotic isn’t a dirtbag! He’s just a business owner that happens to have several large, mostly friendly animals!

Why did you choose to acquire 5 pit bulls?

Joe
Guest
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Just saying

95% That leaves room for the people who aren’t dirtbags. Get it?

Wendy Robertson
Guest
Wendy Robertson
3 years ago

I was cornered by one a few years ago on a public trail in Trinidad off leash. Of course the owner said he was sorry but that his dog” does not like people in hats and he can smell your fear.” The one time I was bit I was riding my bike and the owner came out after I was screaming and said the dog doesn’t like bikes. Another time a guy in my neighbor hood was walking his Pit and I stepped out between 2 cars toward my driveway and the dog pulled the guy across the street to get to me because I surprised it .I ran into my house. I guess the rest of us are supposed to know all these special rules rather than owners being responsible for dogs .They can’t really control them. I think many owners think their dog will be different if I just love it enough, like co-dependent people in toxic relationships with addicts and abusers. Just keep making excuses. Sorry no sympathy here for he breed.

LinSea
Guest
LinSea
3 years ago

Thank you, the excuses the owners used 🙄

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

Is there a place where reports of animal control calls are public records?

goforit
Guest
goforit
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Dog officers offices should have them. Or- call HCSD or MCSD and ask where dog bite, potential dangerous dog and vicious dog records are kept. Call up and ask.

Also, if that doesn’t work- below is copied from a lawyer’s site. You will not be able to access them if an investigation is still going on. But- before receiving the info, you or any reporter should be able to find out what happened to any dogs who have severely bitten anyone.

“To obtain a copy of records under your state’s public records act, call the agency that you believe has the records, and simply ask for them, telling them your connection to the matter. On that call, they will advise as to whether you have to fill out a form and pay a fee. Follow their process and you should have no problem. Do the necessary well before any court appearance or other event, because agencies might take weeks to comply with your request. If you are a crime victim or have a low income, inquire as to a fee waiver.

Even if the agency has a legal ground to refuse to disclose records, most records can be disclosed in the discretion of the agency. ”

If you have a problem with an agency refusing to release public records you could call a dog bite group and ask for help. As a member of the public you have a right to know.

You can also refer to California Public Records Act at Government Code section 6250 et seq;
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?division=7.&chapter=3.5.&lawCode=GOV&title=1.&article=1.

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Guest
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3 years ago
Reply to  goforit

If there is a problem dog in your area and it leaves it’s owners property you can call animal control. They are also able tell you over the phone about the history of the dog, if it’s harassed or attacked anyone in any part of the county before.

john zolis
Guest
john zolis
3 years ago

Matt Lafever you’re a hack writing for a rag, breed blaming for your lack of journalistic integrity ….

Show me anywhere a canine expert or DNA was used to ID the breed!
BTW — Pit bull isn’t a breed, I’m so tired of hacks like you using these stories and heresy (someone claiming this or that) and you publish it …

Guess that’s why you’re writing for this rag … and not AP!

To the idiots in the thread nattering on about pit bulls —
86% of all fatalities are from unfixed canines of all breeds and of those 92% are male — Irresponsible owners
25% of all fatalities are from unsocialized tethered canines – Irresponsible owners
25% of all fatalities are from dogs at large and the same goes for dogs left with children unattended –
Again IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERS
When will you people start blaming the other end of the leash or lack there of and the ineffectual Animal Control?

Matt do better!!

goforit
Guest
goforit
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

A little testy aren’t we? Do you by chance bet on dogs? Make money on fighters?

Smallfry
Guest
Smallfry
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

Yeah right.. what a moronic statement. A PitBull attacked a kid, I think the public has a right to know and be informed when attacks happen like this, or if there are aggressive dogs in the neighborhood AND what type of dog it is..
Thanks Matt for keeping the public informed.

According to Forbes..
The following infographic shows that the Pit Bull is still responsible for the most fatal attacks in the U.S. by far, killing 284 people over that 13-year period – 66 percent of total fatalities. That’s despite the breed accounting for just 6.5% of the total U.S. dog population.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/09/13/americas-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-infographic/?sh=58d6dce362f8

And that’s just to start.. where is the info on your bogus statistics?

And let’s see. Here in the Triangle for 2021.. serious injuries from PITBULLS that I know of so far THIS MONTH..3

Serious injuries from other dogs.. 0 This is not a game where the most points wins incidentally!

IRRESPONSIBLE caretakers are people that DO NOT acknowledge and deny that they are responsible for a potentially dangerous and possibly lethal dog!

Tree
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

Those stats are easily manipulated.

Daisy
Guest
Daisy
3 years ago
Reply to  Tree

Statistics are like that. So are pit bulls.

Chad
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

There is an old saying, “I cannot define pornography, but I know it when I see it”.

Cui bono
Guest
Cui bono
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

Actually there is evidence that the shape of a dog’s skull is elated to behavioral problems with knowing the “DNA” of the animal. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0080529

Eilidh Somerville
Guest
Eilidh Somerville
3 years ago
Reply to  john zolis

DNA testing also relies on visual identification, but it is not an exact science which is why as many countries will not allow it in court. DNA testing for breed is mostly done by people who want to know what breeds are in their mixed breeds, but even then results can vary depending on the labs doing the testing. People have successfully been identifying dog breeds visually for hundreds of years. The only people who say they cannot be identified visually are modern pit bull advocates and only ever in relation to pit bulls.

There are only two very closely related breeds that are legally classed as pit bulls in the US and yes there is a breed with “pit bull” in its breed name!

https://definitions.uslegal.com/p/pit-bull/

https://dogbitelaw.com/legal-briefs/pit-bulls

It should be noted that the APBT and AST are the exact same!

http://thecaninegamechanger.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-name-change-game-staffordshire.html?m=1

Jules without the rules
Guest
Jules without the rules
3 years ago

My heart goes out to this child and their family. What a horrible thing to happen to an innocent little one. The people who own the dogs are 100 % responsible for this poor child being attacked and mutilated.

As I am writing this, my pit bull is snuggled on the couch. In the 8 years I’ve had her, she’s only barked at a handful of people- all men imagine that. She is an absolute sweetheart who loves her two cat sisters and is often approached and rubbed on by neighborhood kitties. She knows to be gentle with disabled and elderly people, She loves kids, and the only time she growls and gets an attitude is when her food dish is threatened- just like any normal dog.

So I wish a speedy and full recovery for this poor child an full accountability for the horrible persons responsible. And I hope all of you understand that a well behaved animal of any breed or species comes from a home where love is the main training tool.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

Dog breeders guarantee the temperament of their dogs, because they know part of it is genetic.

German shorthair pointers will freeze and point at birds without ever being taught. Beagles and bloodhounds are scent-driven, while others are known as sighthounds because they track movement. Akitas are aloof and protective. A terrier will have a strong prey drive, while a Great Pyrenees will be protective of the livestock it lives with. Not all within a breed will be the same: but responsible breeders will spay or neuter dogs whose temperament and behavior don’t meet a breed standard.

Bully breeds were bred for strong prey drive and aggression. And irresponsible breeders have magnified the aggression, by continuing to breed out of control dogs.

You can’t love a pug into replacing a Heeler as your cattle dog. You can’t love a Malinois into being chill and relaxed. What makes people think that pit-bull type breeds can be loved enough to get rid of their aggressive instincts and prey drive?

Intense and consistent training can teach a dog to go against their natural instincts, but it has to be consistent over their lifetime. Love without experience, training, and necessary restraints like a strong fenced enclosure, is just not enough.

Also, food aggression is not “normal.” It is a problem that should be worked on and shouldn’t be tolerated.

Mike
Guest
Mike
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Very well put

Really?
Guest
Really?
3 years ago

I guess my non pit dog is not “normal” as she never “growls and gets an attitude” when her food dish is threatened. Can you give us some more examples of abnormal dog behavior so I can get my adorable puffles the proper kind of help to normalize her? Thanks!

Robin
Guest
Robin
3 years ago

Yes, two raised from pups pitbulls were snuggling on their owner’s lap when Daxton Borchardt was ripped from his babysitters arms and torn apart by her “sweet” pits that had never shown aggression before, the attack was so ferocious the owner had no control when these dogs went into their genetically induced fight zone, the attack left ripped Daxton’s eye out and one side of his face and tore up the rest of his toddler body, the poor little boy didn’t have a chance. Two neutered, vaccinated, loved and nurtured pits ended his life. Pitbull owners do not have any notion of “predisposed” or “preponderance” in their arguments – their simple arguments consist of “MY pitbull never hurt anyone, therefore ALL pitbulls must be trained to be deadly”. Anecdotal evidence just doesn’t mean that much. If we were to apply their logic to drunk driving – which is governed by preemptive laws and punishments – drunks would get off scot free if they didn’t first hurt or kill someone by driving under the influence. Instead, we arrest and charge anyone driving over the limit. If we banned pit bull types thru BSL preemptively the attacks and deaths by canine would dramatically reduce the deaths, disfigurements, and attacks on both people and pets. 1 in 40 pit bulls will kill an animal or a human, one in 6 will attack an animal or a human.

E
Guest
E
3 years ago

🙂

I’m absolutely sure that there are nice and mellow pits, I’ve met several and had friends that had one and played with them.

That being said, I’m sure there are Honey Badgers and wolverines and cougars that are friendly and kept as pets.
I wouldn’t want to hang out with one, or risk it attacking for whatever reason.

There is a reason you can’t just have a pet tiger even if you can have a pet Kitty.

A Kitty bites and claws and you get a little scratch, a tiger…..

A little yippee dog might bite your ankle, but a dog that was bred to fight and kill?

People can hate me all day long, a pit is not a pet.
They are unstable, genetically fucked up animals., And dangerous and deadly.

The best way to deal with one is a 12ga 00 round.

There, I said it.

NoGovernment
Guest
NoGovernment
3 years ago

Its due time I reply here: Humans that take responsibility to own an animal, have the same responsibility as if they have a loaded gun. I’ve seen SO MANY STUPID HUMANS BEING stupid, not being responsible for their animals.

When I walk near a crackhead or meth-head with a dog, I have my finger near the trigger of my .357 Mag. I’m ready to smoke whatever animal lunges at me or threatens me. The pathetic owners take virtually no responsibility and must be held as accountable as if they were wheeling a loaded gun. I take absolutely NO CHANCES with these damn “dog owners.” using their fucking pit bulls as weapons.

; there are many businesses that are negligent and responsible for meth heads or transients allowing people to have their animals near people, doing their business. In laytonville, you cant t walk into a business without some fucker with their dog sitting on the ground, smokin meth. As said, I walk by them with my hand on my weapon ready to act accordingly. Most asshole humans dont give a shit and I for one, protect myself against gross negligence.

Get your concealed carry permit because I bet, the owner of these dogs that attacked people, wont be held responsible. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROMK these bad dog owners.

Attempted murder charges must be filed against the owners of these animals. The animals need to be put to death also, immediately.

Negligence is no pathetic excuse. Yes, 99% of pit bull owners are the asshole humans we all try to avoid.

Farce
Guest
Farce
3 years ago
Reply to  NoGovernment

I’m not sure when you are “going into businesses in Laytonville” but I probably go in to Geigers, Fosters, Pour Girls, Weathertop and Rich’s Chevron (will always be Rich’s Chevron just like the local paper is still The Ledger to me) maybe 20 times a month total. I have never seen those ground-sitting dog-packing meth-smokers you speak of. So…if that’s bullshit then…how accurate is the rest of your comment? But …- I do agree with your “no government- be self-reliant philosophy”

Eilidh Somerville
Guest
Eilidh Somerville
3 years ago
Reply to  NoGovernment

And so many people have been injured and killed by members of the public and the police shooting at dogs! There was even a case last year of somebody using a bow and arrow to try and stop his neighbour being mauled by his pit bull. The arrow ended up striking and killing his neighbour not the pit bull! I am also in the UK where both pit bulls and handguns are banned. We do not have the same number of people being killed by dogs and handguns were banned after the Dunblane school shooting in 1996 which resulted in sixteen children, one teacher and the shooter dying. We have not had a single school shooting since and other mass shootings very seldom happen.

Bill
Guest
Bill
3 years ago

For every one person that claims that Pit Bulls are a good breed, there are 100 that can say they are not. This is not based on Facebook postings, this is based on facts from attack data over many decades. It is clear these dogs do not, DO NOT, make good pets regardless of what very few people claim.

No doubt the owners are responsible, and should be held responsible in all attacks. Just like any other dog breed owner should be held responsible for there do attacking another person.

It sounds like this incident was much like the recent one in Redway/Garberville area, if so these dogs should absolutely be put down. They are violent and unpredictable and will attack again.

H
Guest
H
3 years ago

I can remember being at a concert near Willow Creek and a really cool guy with two pit bulls on leash was walking through the crowd. As soon as those dogs saw some other dog across the way they immediately bolted. The combined strength of the two pit bulls was much greater than the cool guy that was holding them on leash. They immediately broke free and sprinted at the other dog, trampling a toddler in the process. I remember wondering what the point of the leashes were if the dogs were too strong to be restrained.

The Rancher
Guest
The Rancher
3 years ago

As a rancher who has dealt with hundreds of dog attacks on livestock, pit bulls are always the worst. I have seen pit bulls viciously attack and kill full grown bulls(1600-1800lbs), horses, pigs, sheep, cattle, pet dogs, deer, and poultry. Even the kindest pit bulls at home are very dangerous in the wild. Pit bulls have an on switch, once they go psycho it’s impossible to turn theIr switch off. One of the worst attacks I have seen was a horse in a stable with twenty feet of its intestines ripped out. The horse defended itself and kill three of the attacking pit bulls. I have seen hundreds of attacks that I can’t explain on these website. All the ranchers I know around Laytonville and Covelo herds are under constant threat or attack from dog, pit bulls and wolf breeds are the worst. The number of irresponsible dog owners in the Mendocino and Humboldt are extremely high. Most of the irresponsible pit bull owners are dopers, meth freaks, or losers.

Farce
Guest
Farce
3 years ago
Reply to  The Rancher

I agree with your last sentence. I found my pit bull in the middle of winter -he was abandoned way out there and was skinny, isolated and scared to death. Took me 3 days just to get enough trust to trap him in my truck and bring him in. After I got him healthy and got him shots I slowly tested him- cats, chickens, goat- he loved them all. Other dogs- he was ecstatic to play, aggressively wrestling and all good fun. Guarding my house he just barks/announces, never a growl or a stand-off. I ‘ve spent lots of time with him and trained his behavior always to be kind and gentle because I know his potential damage. I know if he runs off or acts aggressively dangerous he can be put down. I’ve lived in ranch country and I understand the rule. If he ran off and packed up he would be shot- and I’d apologize and pay for the bullets. Pack mentality can’t be allowed to run wild. But he stays close, very close. The shit head grower who ditched him to starve in the wilderness should be shot. Who does that to their best, most loyal worker?! A piece of shit lower than a tapeworm…Just saying- there can be good pitties and responsible owners. It’s a bummer these other creeps get these pits and torture them. I’d be fine with euthanizing the dog abusers and dog fighters along with the killer dogs. We have way too many people anyways…

e
Guest
e
3 years ago

Does anybody have an update on the kid?

The bitch across the street
Guest
The bitch across the street
3 years ago

First of all, prayers to the child. Let’s hope for a speedy recovery. And yes shoot the damn dog.
I’ve been bitten by a chow when I was younger. It was kept in a fence or on a chain all it’s life and I got on his territory without realizing it.
I was terrified of any dog for a long time. So bad I didn’t like animals.
Now I’m grown with my own kids and they love pets. We was blessed with our pitt 3 years ago. He’s a big beefy boy that looks really scary, but he’s the sweetest dog you could ever ask for.
We also keep a close eye on him when company comes over. He never leaves the yard. He’s only barks to give us a message. He has a personality like a human. Understands conversation. And it’s loved by all who know him. Company brings him treats or has their own cute name for him.
IDGAF who is tired of hearing it’s all about the owners but it’s true. If a dog of any breed is mistreated or not given proper attention it’s likely to behave like an ANIMAL without care.
all the dogs running up and down the road clearly has owners who hasn’t given proper care to it. These dogs I wouldn’t trust for shit. And I’m thankful for my dog that has to run these unruly dogs out of our yard at times.
Bottom line: do something with the damn dogs that Rome the streets before another child or adult has to suffer. If not we can just start shooting the street dogs and wait for someone to post their missing dog on FB to be returned and buried in their yard.
As for me and my pitt that’s how we protect our kids in our yard. He alarms, I shot.

Edwin Cox
Guest
Edwin Cox
3 years ago

Just a brief note, fir dog enthusiasts there have been dog foods out on market that are causing health problems for pedigreed and stray dogs being coaxed into safety. If you own a dog or know someone who does please,please make sure of the content of their diet. Peace

Chad
Guest
3 years ago

I would like a study identifying “why” people choose pits over all other breeds. The cute and cuddly response is no answer. Most breeds are cute and cuddly. Honesty would be appreciated and help further discussions on pit ownership.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Chad

I was just thinking the same thing. Identification with a fantasy of invulnerability most likely. “No one messes with me! ” posturing being the primary value as they use community roads to get to community services even though they can’t appreciate how little they contribute. And put the community at risk. With an added delusion that they are safe from the consequences of their choices. What can be done about such stereoypical identification?

Grace
Guest
Grace
2 years ago
Reply to  Chad

We rescued our Pitty because he deserved a second chance. He’s never once let us down, amazing with all dogs and most of all great with my toddler son. I won’t let anyone tell me otherwise. They aren’t the monsters people seem to think they are, it’s sad.

euthanize all pitbulls
Guest
euthanize all pitbulls
3 years ago

breeding is very important and pitbulls are bred to do damage and be violent. bred to attack and not let go, sometimes wont let go even after they are dead, you have to pry their jaws off. they are the only dog that locks their jaw, and it is for the purpose of killing. ive lost livestock to pitbulls, been chased personally by them as a kid walking or riding a bike through eureka at least 5 times and have had to jump up onto a car or out pedal them. of all the other dogs i encountered the pibulls were the only ones who attacked and ripped my clothes or chased me onto a vehicle. there were streets i avoided because of aggressive pitbulls. it is the owners responsibility to have a safe pet, and i have met nice pitbulls but ive met more dangerous ones. the ones my uncles had were dangerous even though they didnt mistreat them, it was just in their nature. when you breed animals you arent supposed to breed the ones that hurt people but pit owners dont follow that logic. they want to be intimidating. i live out hwy 36 and from now on i am just going to shoot any pitbull i see roaming around, and i see a lot of pitties loose around here. i have kids, im not taking any more chances. i ve already lost livestock. and i think that guy that let his pitbulls eat that womans legs was trying to lure her out there to get attacked by his dogs from the way it sounds. sorry to anyone who likes the breed, im not putting up with these dogs anymore, they are killers.

TDog
Guest
TDog
3 years ago

for some reason i always forget what these dogs are bred to do……………… anyone have an idea????
oh well i’m sure breeding is just a mass conspiracy anyway………right…………
OH SHIT……….I JUST REMEMBERED!!!!!! OH MY GOOOOODDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn H
Guest
Lynn H
3 years ago

People should know that in many many areas pit bulls that are available as pets can be the left overs of people who are breeding fighting animals for profit. There is still dog fighting all over the country. They’re rarely busted. Left overs are either dumped at shelters or sold privately. Don’t support that industry, even at an indirect level! I don’t think Pits should be banned, but why get one? I don’t see the appeal. Even if free. As a whole, they’re not good guard dogs- they go for other animals more than people. They also don’t consistently give warning- they’re bred not to- to make as little sound of warning as possible. Most dogs give warning first. Fighting dogs are bred and trained not to.

Also, when there are dog fighting rings in an area other especially more shy dogs will end up missing. Pets are stolen to be used as bait dogs, both large and small. I also suspect people who let their dogs out when those dogs kill a lot of pets in the area over time.

I’m talking tri county level, not Covelo.

jim bonner
Guest
jim bonner
3 years ago

Pit bulls have been bred to restore their prey drive. So they return to their natural instincts as wild dogs.

Wild dogs are one of the most dangerous animals. You can NOT tame them, and they WILL kill small children in an instant. They tear children apart and eat them alive. Literally.

This is why pit bulls need to be banned nationwide in the USA as they are in most European nations. Most pit bull owners are morons, unable to control such a dangerous animal. J

ust ban them. There are plenty of safe dog breeds.

matthew
Guest
3 years ago

i hop the kid will be ok what mabey the dog was protecting its sellf

Grace
Guest
Grace
2 years ago

Some of these comments are insane. It’s extremely unfortunate about the child getting bit 🙁 but ALL dogs can bite and the ‘pitbull’ which by the way can be a few different breeds is one of the most bred dogs in the states so yep more than likely accounts for more bites not to mention people like to get these dogs for the wrong reasons. I work with dogs and I have never had any aggression from a bully breed but like any power breed you don’t just get one without knowing nothing about them. It’s sad that people think the answer is to wipe them out when really the focus should be on back yard breeders, dog fighters and incompetent owners. Also the ‘pitbull’ ranks one of the highest on the temperament test and in the UK staffies (who fall under the pitbull umbrella in the states) are Britain’s number 1 dog but seen as a dangerous evil creature in other places 🙄 The media have done a fine job tarnishing their rep!